Cleo Esther Hoelzle Moultrie

Cleo Esther Hoelzle Moultrie,67, passed away on Tuesday, June 11^th, 2019 after a long fight with cancer. She left peacefully, surrounded by her family, who love her so much.

Cleo was born on July 3rd,1951 at Steele Memorial Hospital in Salmon, Idaho to Carol May Allen and Charles William Hoelze. She was the youngest of four daughters and the family lived in Patterson, Idaho. The family moved from Patterson, to La Salle, Utah, and then to Moab, Utah soon after because her father was working in the mines in that area. When Cleo was in the eighth grade, she moved to Challis, Idaho to live with her cousin Gerry. She wasn’t there long but spoke often about how much she enjoyed her time with Gerry and her family. A year later, she moved to Salmon, Idaho, where she stayed until she graduated high school. 

After graduating from high school in 1969, Cleo attended Kinman business college in Spokane, Washington and a secretarial school in Salt Lake, Utah. She was adventurous and independent and ended up traveling around to several cities, making many friends and memories before settling down to start a family.

In 1972 Cleo married Larry Moultrie. They lived in Salmon, Idaho and between 1974 and 1977, had three children. In 1979, they decided to move their family to West Valley, Utah. While Cleo and Larry separated soon after moving to Utah, they both decided to stay and raise their children there. Cleo got a job at Sorenson Research, which became Abbott Critical Care, and then ICU Medical. She worked there for twenty-six years. She made many dear friends there over the years.

Cleo was completely devoted to her children. Most of her time not at work was spent taking them, and several kids who lived nearby, on adventures. She would regularly pack a picnic, fill her van full of kids, and head out to parks, mountains, or to just “get lost” around town, for the entire day. Cleo was always learning. She loved to read, and she constantly strove to inspire that same love of learning in her children. She cared so much for other people and consistently gave of herself and her time to anyone who needed it.

After Cleo retired, she moved to Meridian, Idaho to spend some time living closer to her daughter, Lisa. Cleo’s grandchildren were the joy of her life. She loved every one of them with her whole heart, and she was filled with pride at every little thing they accomplished.  She was never so happy as when she was surrounded by her children and grandchildren. While in Meridian, she was diagnosed with cancer. Her bravery, strength and courage, while fighting this terrible illness, inspired us all. She made the most of the time she had left, spending time with her family, and going on as many adventures as she could manage.  She spent some time living with her kids and her sisters Nancy and Sharon while she was ill. When she passed, she was at her daughter, Lisa’s house in Meridian. We didn’t have nearly enough time with her, but the time we did have was filled with love.

Cleo is survived by her children, Erin, (Joey) Cook, Corey Moultrie, Lisa, (Chad) Hathorn, and Stephanie Ruiz. Her grandchildren, Toni, Adam, Daniel, Logan; Caleb, Isaac, Amara; Nathan, Cleo, Kevin, Carter; and Liliana. She is also survived by her sisters, Jackie Lazarus, Sharon Lanier and Nancy Westfall and her ex-husband, Larry Moultrie. Cleo also leaves behind many nieces and nephews, aunts, cousins and friends who she adored. We will all miss her presence in our lives every day.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles William Hoelzle, and Carol May Allen. Cleo loved to see her family enjoying time together, so in that spirit of family unity, there will be a graveside service for family and friends held on July 20, 2019 at 11:00 a.m., at the May, Idaho cemetery. Following the interment there will be a picnic at the Cottonwood Campground in Ellis, Idaho.